Old memories make way for new construction at Bartow High School

Sunday

Reunioners share memories of Bartow High School as campus transforms: “It's tearful. ... I've spent a lot of years at this school. It's kind of a tearjerker seeing it all torn down.”

BARTOW — As the walls to the old Bartow High School library crumbled this week, a wave of nostalgia swept over Gail Adams.

“It's tearful,” she said. “After going to high school here, and then teaching here, I've spent a lot of years at this school. It's kind of a tearjerker seeing it all torn down.”

The home economics building, where Adams attended classes and later taught them, is but a memory, along with the science building and the classrooms where carpentry and small-engine repair were taught.

Seven buildings dating to the early 1950s are being demolished to make way for a two-story science center, housing the school's science program, the construction academy and a new culinary center. The $17.5 million project is scheduled for completion next summer.

The two-story Summerlin Institute building on the north end of the campus will remain untouched during the construction. Built in the late 1920s, the yellow-brick building has served Bartow students for nearly a century.

Many of Bartow's high school students attended Summerlin Institute in that building through 1969, at which time desegregation brought about the merger with Union Academy, the East Bartow high school for black students. The two schools became Bartow High School.

Earlier this month, when Summerlin's class of 1968 celebrated its 50th reunion, some graduates had hoped to recapture old memories by walking along the school's hallways, said Sam McGuirt, an organizer of the event.

“They'd already started the demolition, so we weren't able to do that,” she said. “It's really bittersweet, seeing the old buildings come down. It's sad that part of my history is being done away with, but I'm glad to know they aren't tearing down the Summerlin building. That's the building that holds the history of the school.”

Like other graduates, McGuirt said she welcomes the improvements at the school and the opportunities they will present for future students.

“I'm proud that my grandchildren will be going there and will be a part of this new era,” she said.

Gail Adams, a 1970 graduate who retired in 2014 after teaching culinary arts for 16 years, said she's thrilled to see the school improve its culinary program.

“They're getting industrial equipment now, and that's what they need,” she said. “I begged for years for a new kitchen. Right after I retire, this happens. But it's a good thing for these students, and overdue.”

Alan Adams, another 1968 graduate, recalled his high school days last week as he watched the walls tumble.

“The old cafeteria was right over there,” he said, pointing to vacant ground. “I remember having split pea soup day, and there was always more on the floor than anywhere else.”

Adams said he and Gail, his wife of 47 years, met along the hallways that now have been reduced to rubble.

“I married the majorette I had to follow behind in parades,” he said. “It's hard to see those hallways and classrooms torn down. Back then, we had separate hallways for the sophomores, juniors and seniors, and you couldn't be caught in an upperclass hallway.”

George-Ann Hodges, who also graduated in 1968, said the demolition is heartbreaking for her.

“I drove by and saw it and thought 'Oh my gosh, they're ripping my heart out.' It looks so sad. When I used to drive by there, it would remind me of all the friends I had and all the fun we had. Those were the fun and carefree times. Now, to see all those buildings gone, it's just so different.”

John Howell, who joined his classmates at the 1968 reunion this month, said the changes will be good for future students, but he still feels nostalgic for what's been lost.

“I wish I could have had the chance to walk down the halls just one more time before they started tearing it all down,” he said.

Suzie Schottelkotte can be reached at suzie.schottelkotte@theledger.com or 863-533-9070. Follow her on Twitter @southpolkscene.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.